So the dust has settled, but we now reportedly know why Stefon Diggs was not present at the start of mandatory minicamp. The situation between the Bills and Diggs that escalated and then fizzled at the start of their minicamp period may still be bubbling under the surface, according to a new report from the Boston Globe's Ben Volin.
Citing a source "close to the Bills locker room," Volin said that "Diggs' frustration is with his role in the offense and his voice in play-calling." Diggs wanting a bigger say in his role and the team's plans on offense is somewhat confusing: The wideout had 1,429 receiving yards in 2022, with those yards coming on 108 receptions and 154 total targets. Diggs also set a career high in touchdown receptions with 11. He accounted for 29% of the Bills' receptions in 2022, which was tied for the third-highest rate in the NFL last year. Diggs ranked fourth in the NFL in receptions, fifth in receiving yards and tied for third in touchdown receptions. With all that being said, only Devante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders has more targets (498) since 2020, than Diggs who has 484.
However, the ending to the 2022 season was dramatic for Diggs and the Bills. After being upset by the Cincinnati Bengals on their home field in the divisional round, The Athletic reported that Diggs sprinted out of the locker room with all of his things before some of Buffalo's coaching staff even made it down to the tunnel that leads to the locker room. He was seen "exchanging some words" with Allen on the sideline during the loss, and later took to Twitter to explain that he just wasn't OK with losing. In that 17-point defeat, Diggs caught just 4 of 10 targets for 35 yards.
I think it also comes down to the fact that Diggs is a winner and wants to make it to the Super Bowl with a chance to bring a title home. I think he is self aware enough to see that the Bills may be missing a few additional role players to overcome both the Bengals and the Chiefs in the AFC. I think Diggs is also frustrated the Bills havent signed veteran wide receiver, Deandre Hopkins.
I think as they get closer to the start of the regular season this will become a smaller story. It seems like the relationship Josh Allen and Diggs have is genuine and they will be able to get on the same page regarding the offense.
